Device for feeding tufts of bristles, method for operating said device and brush manufacturing machine

ABSTRACT

A brush manufacturing device (1) for feeding tufts of bristles (2) to receiving openings (3) in a target plate (4) is provided, The device includes at least one sensor (7). The sensor allows to monitor the force which a sliding drive (5) of the device (1) applies to at least one sliding pin (6) of the device (1).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 371 National Phase of PCT/EP2021/075409, filedSep. 16, 2021, which claims priority from German Patent Application No.10 2020 133 115.0, filed Dec. 11, 2020, both of which are incorporatedherein by reference as if fully set forth.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a device for feeding bristle bundles intoreceiving openings in target plates, comprising at least one slidingdrive and at least one sliding pin for inserting a bristle bundle into areceiving opening of a target plate. In addition, the invention alsorelates to a brush-producing machine having a device of this kind, andto a method for operating a device for feeding bristle bundles intoreceiving openings in target plates, comprising at least one slidingdrive and at least one sliding pin for inserting a bristle bundle into areceiving opening in a target plate.

BACKGROUND

With devices of the kind referred to above, bristle bundles can beinserted individually, or also into groups, into receiving openings in atarget plate. The target plates equipped with bristle bundles may act asauxiliary means with which the bristle bundles can be fed to furtherprocessing steps which are to be carried out in order to produce thebrush. It is also possible, however, to equip such target plates withdevices of this kind with bristle bundles which themselves are intendedto be part of a brush.

From the publications DE 92 03 928 U1, DE 103 12 016 A1 and DE 10 2017123 007 A1, different devices and process for manufacturing brushesand/or brushes are previously known. All of these devices have tampingtools on, with which bundles of bristles together with fastening anchorscan be individually stuffed into brush bodies. The known devices areequipped with sensors that allow monitoring of the working pressureexerted on the so-called rams of the tamping tools in order to determinedamage to the rams already when stuffing the bristle bundles orrecognizable after the stuffing, and measure a ram pressure in the deadcenter near the brush body and allow a sufficiently tight tolerance tobe controlled, or even to detect a fracture of the ram.

SUMMARY

The problem addressed by the invention is that of providing a device, abrush-producing machine, and a method of the kind referred to above, bymeans of which the production of brushes can be simplified.

In order to solve the problem, a device of the kind referred to above isinitially proposed, which has the means and features disclosed hereindirected at a device of this kind. In particular, in order to solve theproblem, a device for feeding bristle bundles into receiving openings intarget plates with at least one sliding drive and at least one slidingpin for inserting a bristle bundle into a receiving opening in a targetplate is therefore proposed, which is characterized in that the devicehas at least one sensor, by means of which a force transmitted by thesliding drive to the at least one sliding pin can be determined at leastindirectly. The at least one sensor may, for example, be a force sensorand/or a pressure sensor. The at least one sensor may be a piezo-forcetransducer. A sensor of this kind is set up for the precise measurementof tensile and compressive forces in the highest resolution.

In this way, a device for feeding bristle bundles is created which makesit possible for the force transferred from the sliding drive to thesliding pin to be monitored. It has emerged that force is a processparameter in the operation of a device of this kind which allowsinferences to be drawn about various factors that can influence theprocess quality. The force to be applied when operating the device may,for example, allow inferences to be drawn about the state of the device,about the bristle bundles to be inserted using the device, and/or aboutthe insertion process. It is therefore possible to influence a brushproduction process in a targeted manner depending on the forcedetermined using the at least one sensor.

If, for example, an increased force can be detected at the beginning ofthe adjustment travel of the at least one sliding pin, this may indicatethat the device is contaminated and needs cleaning. Furthermore, it ispossible in this case for the at least one sliding pin and/or a guidefor the sliding pin to be contaminated and/or worn. An increased forcein a rear or final region of the adjustment travel may indicate, forexample, that the inserted bristle bundle is too long and is thereforealready positioned against a limit stop of the device. An increase inthe force which is detected in a rear or final region of the adjustmenttravel and which exceeds a normal increase can therefore provide theimpetus for monitoring an upstream process for producing the bristlebundles and, if appropriate, adapting a length of the bristle bundles tobe inserted. In order to be able to detect an unusual increase in theforce, it may be advantageous for the force to be compared with aforce/path profile which has been previously determined under idealconditions. A force/path profile of this kind can be taken into accountas a reference value for a corresponding assessment of the force.

Furthermore, it is possible to deactivate the device automatically whenit is determined with the help of the at least one sensor that the forcehas reached or exceeded a permissible maximum value. This maximum valuemay be used as a reference value. For this purpose, the device may havea control unit which is set up for the automatic deactivation of thedevice, in particular of the at least one sliding drive, and isexplained in greater detail below.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device has at least one linearmeasuring unit. With the help of the linear measuring unit, it ispossible to determine the adjustment travel of the at least one slidingpin. A linear measuring unit can preferably be assigned to each sensorof the device.

If the device has at least one linear measuring unit, it is possiblewith the help of the at least one sensor and the at least one linearmeasuring unit to create a force/path profile diagram which can benefitthe analyses and evaluations already indicated previously, and also themeasures derived therefrom.

If, on inserting at least one bundle, the force quickly rises or falls,this may allow inferences to be drawn about a filling level of thebristle bundle. In this context, filling level can be understood to meana number of bristle filaments per bristle bundle. Also during no-loadoperation, in other words when no bristle bundles are being insertedinto the target plate with the help of the device, but instead thesliding pin is moved without bristle bundles, the force which can bemeasured may indicate contamination of the device and/or a degree ofwear of the device.

If an increase in force can be determined at the beginning of theadjustment travel/sliding path of the sliding pin, this may indicatethat a cutting device with which the bristle bundles are separated hasbecome blunt. A replacement and/or re-sharpening of the upstream cuttingdevice, in particular of a cutting blade of an upstream cutting device,may then be indicated and initiated. It may also be expedient for theforce to be monitored with the help of the at least one sensor when theat least one sliding pin of the device is withdrawn. Inferences can bedrawn in relation to contamination and/or wear of the device based on aforce/path profile which can be recorded during the withdrawal of thesliding pins.

In one embodiment of the device, the at least one sensor is arranged inthe force-fit direction between the sliding drive and the at least onesliding pin. This can benefit the accuracy of the force measurement. Theforce transmitted by the sliding drive to the at least one sliding pinthen runs directly through the sensor.

The device according to the invention may have at least one pin packagewith a plurality of sliding pins. In this way, it is possible for aplurality of bristle bundles to be inserted simultaneously intoreceiving openings in a target plate. This can increase the efficiencyof the device. In this case, a pin package may have a number of slidingpins which correspond in terms of number and arrangement to receivingopenings in a source plate and/or a target plate for bristle bundles ofa bundle group.

The device may have a source plate. At least one receiving opening for abristle bundle may be present in a source plate. In this way, the sourceplate can be used as an auxiliary means for feeding bristle bundles tothe device and holding them in readiness. With the help of the at leastone sliding pin of the device, a bristle bundle held in readiness in thesource plate can be transferred from said source plate into a receivingopening in a target plate held in readiness.

The device may have at least one pin guide, for example a pin guideplate, which is arranged between the sliding drive and a source plate ofthe device, as already previously mentioned for example. With the helpof the pin guide, it is possible to guide the at least one sliding pinof the device precisely. Furthermore, the at least one sliding pin ofthe device can be arranged so as to be well-protected within the pinguide in the starting position.

In order to be able to adjust at least two sliding pins, in particularat least two pin packages of the device, using a sliding drive, it maybe advantageous for the device to have a coupling means, in particular acoupling plate. Through this coupling means, a movement of at least twosliding pins, in particular of at least two pin packages, can be coupledto one another. A coupling means of this kind also facilitatessynchronous insertion of a plurality of bristle bundles.

The at least one sliding drive of the device may be a hydraulic,pneumatic or electromechanical linear drive, for example.

In a preferred embodiment which favors a particularly accuratemonitoring of the force, it is provided that the device for each slidingdrive has at least one sensor in each case.

In the case of devices which are provided for the insertion of differenttypes of bristle bundles into receiving openings in a target plate, itmay be expedient for the device to have at least one sensor for eachtype of sliding pin. At this point, it should be mentioned that thedevice for each type of bristle bundle may also have its own type ofsliding pin adapted to the type of bristle bundle. The different typesof sliding pins may differ from one another in terms of their shape, forexample. In order to be able to carry out an accurate analysis of theforce for a single type of sliding pin, it is advantageous for thedevice to have at least one sensor for each type of sliding pin. Hence,for example, the degree of wear of a sliding pin of a given type or of agiven nature can be monitored.

In order to strengthen an output signal from the at least one sensor forevaluation and use in controlling the device, it may be advantageous foran amplifier to be assigned to the at least one sensor. A digitalindustrial charge amplifier may be used as the amplifier, for example.

The device may have a control unit. The control unit may be set up toactuate the at least one sliding drive, depending on a force determinedby the at least one sensor. In this way, it is possible to perform thetransfer of a bristle bundle into the receiving opening of a targetplate, depending on the force. If it can be established with the help ofthe at least one sensor that a maximum permissible force has beenexceeded, it is thereby possible to deactivate the device, in particularthe at least one sliding drive of the device, in order to avoid damageto the device and/or to a brush-producing machine equipped with saiddevice.

The device may be set up, in particular through its control unit, forthe recording and/or output of force/path profiles and/or force/timeprofiles of the force. Furthermore, it is possible for the device tohave an information output unit and/or an information output interface.On the information output unit of the device, it is possible to outputoperating information of the device for a user. Operating information,such as measurement data determined with the help of the at least onesensor, for example, can be output to an external unit, for example acomputer or a smart device, such as a smart phone, via an informationoutput interface.

The device may have a communication interface for data exchange, forexample with an external data store, for example with cloud storage. Thecommunication interface of the device may be a communication interfaceof the control unit of the device already mentioned previously. It ispossible to connect the device to other, possibly structurallyidentical, devices via the communication interface. This may take place,for example, via a network-based data store, for example a cloud store.Via the communication interface, the aforementioned sensor data of theat least one sensor of the device can also be provided at leastindirectly for the operation, commissioning, maintenance and/or repairof comparable and/or identical devices.

In order to solve the problem, a brush-producing machine having a devicehaving one or more of the features disclosed herein directed at this isalso proposed.

In order to solve the problem, a method of the kind referred to above isalso proposed, which has one or more of the features disclosed hereindirected at a method of this kind. In order to solve the problem, amethod for operating a device for feeding bristle bundles into receivingopenings of target plates with at least one sliding drive and at leastone pin package with a plurality of sliding pins for inserting a bristlebundle into receiving openings of a target plate is therefore proposedin particular, in which a force of the sliding drive acting on thesliding pins, is determined at least indirectly using a sensor.

In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the force of thesliding drive monitored using the sensor is compared with a referencevalue. A maximum permissible force may, for example, be taken intoaccount as the reference value. In one embodiment of the method, it isprovided that the method is carried out using a device according to thefeatures disclosed herein directed at a device.

In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the at least onesliding drive of the device is deactivated when the force determinedusing the at least one sensor reaches, or exceeds, a reference value,for example a maximum permissible force. In this way, the device can beeffectively protected from damage.

In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the force when thedevice is in no-load operation is determined with the help of the atleast one sensor of said device. This may take place during theinsertion and/or withdrawal of the at least one sliding pin of thedevice mentioned above and, above all, when no bristle bundle isinserted with the help of the at least one sliding pin into a receivingopening in a target plate which is held in readiness. The force that canbe determined during no-load operation may lead to inferences beingdrawn in relation to contamination and/or wear of the device.

The force that can be measured when the device is in no-load operationmay also be compared with a reference value. In this case, the referencevalue may be a force which can usually be measured when the device isuncontaminated and/or unworn. Wear and/or contamination of the devicemay be indicated as soon as the reference value is reached or exceeded,when the force is determined with the help of the at least one sensor,when the device is in no-load operation. A degree of contaminationand/or a degree of wear of the device can then be inferred from theforce that has been determined.

In one embodiment of the method, a request for cleaning and/ormaintenance of the device is issued and/or cleaning and/or maintenanceof the device is carried out when the force reaches or exceeds thereference value. The request for cleaning and/or maintenance of thedevice may take place, for example, via an information output unitand/or information output interface of the device, in particular asalready previously referred to.

If an increase in force can be determined at the beginning of anadjustment travel of the at least one sliding pin, a replacement and/orre-sharpening of a cutting blade, by means of which bristle bundles arecut in an upstream method step, can be recommended and/or initiated. Acorresponding request for this can also be issued via the informationoutput unit and/or information output interface of the device alreadymentioned above. The output may be initiated automatically, for example,by the control unit of the device referred to previously.

The force determined using the at least one sensor can be recorded andsupplied to other devices, in particular such devices having one or moreof the features disclosed herein directed at a device of this kind, viaa data store, in particular a cloud data store. The force determinedusing the at least one sensor can be supplied, for example, in the formof force/path graphs and/or force/time graphs.

The aforementioned measurement data and/or diagrams can then also beassigned corresponding action instructions, which can be issued via theinformation output units and/or information output interfaces ofcomparable devices, in order to request maintenance, repair and/orcleaning, and/or the replacement of certain expendable parts or sparesin the device, or to provide instruction on maintenance, repair and/orcleaning, and/or the replacement of certain expendable parts or sparesin the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in greater detail below with the help ofexemplary embodiments, but is not limited to these exemplaryembodiments. Further exemplary embodiments result from a combination ofthe features of individual or multiple elements disclosed herein withone another, and/or a combination of individual or multiple features ofthe exemplary embodiments.

In the drawings:

FIGS. 1 to 6 : show different views of a first embodiment of a devicefor feeding bristle bundles into receiving openings of a target plate,wherein the device has two pin packages of sliding pins which areconnected to a sensor and a sliding drive of the device via a couplingmeans,

FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of a comparable device, wherein each ofthe two pin packages of the device in this case is assigned a sensor,and wherein the two pin packages of the device are moved via a commonsliding drive,

FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of a comparable device, wherein each ofthe two pin packages of the device is assigned a sensor and a slidingdrive,

FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of a device which is set up tointroduce at least two different kinds of bristle bundles into receivingopenings of a target plate, wherein the sliding pins provided for afirst type of bristle bundles are coupled to one another via a firstcoupling means and are provided with a sensor of the device, whilegroups of sliding pins which are provided for the insertion of a secondkind of bristle bundles are connected to one another, and to a secondsensor of the device, via a second coupling means,

FIG. 10 shows a fifth embodiment of a comparable device, wherein in thiscase the different kinds of sliding pins, which are provided for theinsertion of different kinds of bristle bundles, are each assigned asensor and a sliding drive,

FIG. 11 shows an example of a force/path graph that can be generatedusing the sensors of the device shown in the previous figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of different embodiments of the invention,elements which correspond in terms of their function are given the samereference signs, even if their design and form differ.

The figures show parts of a device for feeding bristle bundles 2 intoreceiving openings 3 of target plates 4, which is referred to as a wholeas 1. Each of the devices 1 shown has at least one sliding drive 5 andmultiple sliding pins 6 for the insertion of bristle bundles 2 into thereceiving openings 3 of the target plates 4. Each of the devices isequipped with at least one sensor 7, by means of which a force of atleast one sliding drive 5 can be determined at least indirectly whenmoving the sliding pins 6.

The device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 has a linear measuring unit 8, bymeans of which an adjustment travel of the sliding pins 6 of the device1 monitored by the sensor 7 can be measured. In this way, it is possiblefor the device 1 to generate a force/path graph, as is illustrated byway of example in FIG. 11 , for example.

The figures show that the sensors 7 are arranged in the direction offorce flow between the sliding drive 5 in each case and the sliding pins6, to which the sensors 7 are assigned. All sensors 7 are piezo-forcetransducers which are set up for the precise measurement of tensile andcompressive forces in very high resolution.

All of the devices shown in the figures have a plurality pin packages 9which comprise multiple sliding pins 6. In this case, a pin package 9contains a number of sliding pins 6 which correspond in terms of numberand arrangement to receiving openings 3 in a source plate 10 of thedevice 1, by means of which the bristle bundles 2 are provided forinsertion into the receiving openings 3 in the target plate 4, and/orwhich correspond in terms of number and arrangement to receivingopenings 3 in the target plate 4 for bristle bundles 2 of a bundlegroup.

The devices 1 shown in the figures are further equipped with a pin guide11 which is designed as a pin guide plate. The pin guide 11 in this caseis arranged between the sliding drives 5 and the previously mentionedsource plate 10. The devices 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, 7 and 9 havecoupling means 12, through which a movement of at least two sliding pins6 of the sliding pins of a device 1, in part of at least two pinpackages 9 of a device 1, are coupled to one another. In the devices 1shown in the figures, coupling plates act as coupling means 12.

The sliding drives 5 of the devices 1 shown in the figures may behydraulic, pneumatic and/or electromechanical linear drives.

In the case of individual embodiments of the device—so, for example, inthe case of the embodiments of the devices 1 according to FIGS. 8 and 10—a sensor 7 is provided in each case for each sliding drive 5.

The devices 1 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are set up to fill each bristlefield of the target plate 4 with two different kinds of bristle bundles2. For this purpose, the device 1 according to FIGS. 9 and 10 has twodifferent kinds of sliding pins 6.

In order to be able to measure the force which is transmitted to thedifferent kinds of sliding pins 6, a sensor 7 is assigned in each caseto each kind of sliding pin 6.

The two upper sliding pins 6 of the device 1 shown in FIG. 9 areconnected to one another via a coupling means 12. In this case, theupper sensor 7 of the two sensors 7 of the device 1 from FIG. 9 makescontact with the coupling means 12 of the two upper sliding pins 6.

The pin packages 9 of the device 1 are also connected to one another viaa corresponding coupling means 12, with which a second sensor 7 of thedevice 1 is in contact.

In the case of the device 1 shown in FIG. 10 , a sensor 7 and a slidingdrive 5 are assigned to each of the two pin packages 9 of the device 1,as well as to each individual upper sliding pin 6 of the device 1.

Each of the devices 1 has an amplifier 13 for each sensor 7.

The sensors 7 are connected at least indirectly to a control unit 14 ofthe respective device 1. The control units 14 are set up to actuate thesliding drive or sliding drives 5, depending on a force determined bythe at least one sensor 7 of the respective device 1. As alreadyindicated above, the devices 1 are set up, in particular through theircontrol units 14, for the recording and/or output of force/pathprofiles. A possible force/path profile is illustrated by way of examplewith the help of the diagram according to FIG. 1 . In addition, it isalso possible for force/time profiles to be created with the help of thedevices 1.

By means of an information output unit 15 and an information outputinterface 16 of the respective device 1, data from the sensors 7 and, inparticular, the previously mentioned force/path profiles or force/timeprofiles can be issued to a user or transmitted to an evaluation unit.For this purpose, the information output unit 15 in each case comprisesa display.

The devices 1 also have communication interfaces 17 for exchanging datawith an external data store 18. As shown by way of example in thefigures, the external data store may, for example, be a cloud store. Thecommunication interfaces 17 in this case may also be set up for wirelesscommunication.

The devices 1 are part of a brush-producing machine 19. The previouslydescribed devices 1 are set up for carrying out the method describedbelow for operating a device 1 for feeding bristle bundles 2 intoreceiving openings 3 in target plates 4.

In this case, it is provided that a force of at least one sliding drive5 of the respective device 1 is determined using a sensor 7.

Depending on the embodiment of the method, the force can be comparedwith a reference value. Examples of reference values have already beenexplained in the general description.

It is therefore possible, by way of example, to deactivate therespective sliding drive 5, or also all sliding drives 5, of the device1, when the force reaches, or exceeds, a reference value which may be amaximum permissible force, for example.

The force may also be determined during no-load operation of therespective device 1. This is particularly true when inserting and/orwithdrawing at least one sliding pin 6 of the respective device 1. Here,too, a comparison can take place between the force determined and areference value.

In this way, it is possible to compare the force that can be determinedduring no-load operation with a reference value and thereby makeinferences, where appropriate, in relation to contamination and/or wearof the device.

In this case, a request for cleaning and/or maintenance of the device 1can be issued, for example via the information output unit 15 alreadymentioned above and/or the information output interface 16 alreadymentioned above of the device 1. If the force exceeds the referencevalue, cleaning and/or maintenance of the device 1 can be carried out.

When a force is increased at the beginning of an adjustment travel ofthe at least one sliding pin 6, which leads to the force falling outsidea tolerance range, a replacement and/or re-sharpening of a cuttingblade, by means of which bristle bundles 2 are cut in an upstream methodstep, can be recommended and/or initiated.

The graph according to FIG. 11 shows the tolerance range of the forceover the adjustment travel or sliding path of the sliding pin or slidingpins 6. The graph comprises a total of three stacked force profilelines, wherein an upper of the three lines 20 represents an upper limitvalue of the force and a lower line 21 of the three lines represents alower limit value of the force. The third line 22, which runs betweenthe two lines 20 and 21, represents the force determined with the helpof the at least one sensor 7 via the adjustment travel of the at leastone sliding pin 6.

It can clearly be seen that the force determined with the help of the atleast one sensor 7 lies within the tolerance range.

The force determined using the sensors 7 can be recorded and providedvia the data store 18 which has already been mentioned, in this case thecloud data store, of other devices 1. This is, for example, in the formof force/travel graphs, such as that shown in FIG. 11 , and/or in theform of force/time graphs.

Furthermore, the information supplied via the data store 18 can also beprovided with action recommendations and/or instructions, for examplewith recommendations on when cleaning, maintenance, replacement ofexpandable parts and/or deactivation of the device are required.

The invention is concerned with improvements in the technical field ofbrush production. For this purpose, a device 1 for feeding bristlebundles 2 into receiving openings 3 of a target plate 4, among otherthings, is proposed, which has at least one sensor 7. The sensor 7allows the force which is transmitted by a sliding drive 5 of the device1 to at least one sliding pin 6 of the device 1 to be monitored.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   -   1 device    -   2 bristle bundle    -   3 receiving opening    -   4 target plate    -   5 sliding drive    -   6 sliding pin    -   7 sensor    -   8 linear measuring unit    -   9 pin package    -   10 source plate    -   11 pin guide    -   12 coupling means    -   13 amplifier    -   14 control unit    -   15 information output unit    -   16 information output interface    -   17 communication interface    -   18 data store    -   19 brush-producing machine    -   20 upper line    -   21 lower line    -   22 force profile

1. A device (1) for feeding bristle bundles (2) into receiving openings(3) in target plates (4), the device comprising: at least one slidingdrive (5); at least one pin package with a plurality of sliding pins(6), each of the sliding pins (6) being configured for inserting one ofthe bristle bundles (2) into a respective one of the receiving openings(3) in the target plate (4); and at least one sensor (7) by which aforce transmitted by the sliding drive (5) to the sliding pins (6) isdetermined at least indirectly.
 2. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1,further comprising at least one linear measuring unit (8), and the asleast one sensor (7) is assigned to the at least one linear measuringunit.
 3. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least onesensor (7) is arranged in a direction of force flow between the at leastone sliding drive (5) and the sliding pins (6).
 4. The device (1) asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one pin package (9) has anumber of the sliding pins (6) which correspond to a number andarrangement of the receiving openings (3) in at least one of a sourceplate (10) or the target plate (4) for the bristle bundles (2) of abundle group.
 5. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising at least one pin guide (11) arranged between the at least onesliding drive (5) and a source plate (10).
 6. The device (1) as claimedin claim 1, further comprising at least one coupling plate, throughwhich a movement of at least two of the sliding pins (6) is coupled toone another.
 7. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at leastone of a) the at least one sliding drive (5) is a hydraulic, pneumaticor electromechanical linear drive, or b) each of the at least onesliding drive (5) has a respective sensor of the at least one sensor(7).
 8. (canceled)
 9. The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, whereinthere a plurality of types of the sliding pins (6) and the at least onesensor (7) includes a sensor for each of the types of the sliding pins(6).
 10. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising anamplifier (13) is assigned to the at least one sensor (7).
 11. Thedevice (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control unit (14)which is configured to activate the at least one sliding drive (5),depending on a force determined by the at least one sensor (7).
 12. Thedevice (1) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the control unit (14) atleast one of a) is configured for at least one of recording oroutputting at least one of force/path profiles or force/time profiles,or has an information output interface.
 13. The device (1) as claimed inclaim 11, wherein the control unit has a communication interface (17)for data exchange.
 14. A brush-producing machine (19) comprising thedevice (1) as claimed in claim
 1. 15. A method for operating a device(1) for feeding bristle bundles (2) into receiving openings (3) oftarget plates (4), the method comprising: providing the device (1) asclaimed in claim 1; and determining a force transmitted by the at leastone sliding drive (5) to the sliding pins (6) at least indirectly usingthe at least one sensor (7).
 16. The method as claimed in claim 15,further comprising at least one of a) comparing the force with areference value or b) deactivating the sliding drive (5) when the forcereaches or exceeds the reference value.
 17. The method as claimed inclaim 16, wherein at least one of the determining or the comparing ofthe force when the device (1) is in no-load operation of the device (1).18. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising inferring atleast one of a degree of contamination or a degree of wear of the devicefrom the force that has been determined.
 19. The method as claimed inclaim 15, further comprising issuing a request for at least one ofcleaning or maintenance of the device (1) when the force reaches orexceeds a reference value.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 15,further comprising, when the force is increased at a beginning of anadjustment travel of the plurality of sliding pins (6), at least one ofrecommending or initiating a replacement and/or re-sharpening of acutting blade, by which the bristle bundles (2) are cut.
 21. The methodas claimed in claim 15, further comprising recording and supplying theforce determined using the at least one sensor (7) to other devices (1),via a data store (18).